The inaugural ‘National Schools Snowsport Week sponsored by Visit Andorra’, which is being backed by Winter Olympians Aimee Fuller and Graham Bell, is due to kick off in just over one week at 21 indoor and artificial slopes across the country – and there is still time for schools to sign up!

Running from 22 – 29 April 2016, the new initiative from Snowsport England is offering free and affordable skiing and snowboarding sessions to schools, aimed at encouraging more schools to introduce their pupils to snowsports.

The new national initiative is being supported by Visit Andorra as title sponsor and destination partner of choice, as well as school tour operator of choice, Equity who offer affordable skiing to schools aimed at developing confidence in young people. The week will see a range of events on offer for schools and pupils including taster ski and snowboard sessions for all pupils, alternative snow activities such as tobogganing and tubing and even freestyle or racing taster sessions at some slopes.

The activities at different slopes are open to all school ages and to any school keen to get involved. There is still time to sign up and schools can join in with whole classes, whole year groups, or even with just a handful of students. They can find all the information about how they can get involved and which slopes are participating in National Schools Snowsport Week atwww.nssw.co.uk

Graham Bell, five-time Olympian and presenter of BBC's Ski Sunday said of National Schools Snowsports Week: "There is nothing better than standing on a ski slope, the adrenalin rushing through your body as you start your descent - whether that is in the Alps or on an artificial ski slope. I wish every child could have the chance to give snowsports a go and enjoy that feeling, which is why National Schools Snowsports Week is such a great idea. Not only will children from a range of backgrounds get to give skiing or snowboarding a go, at some slopes there are ski racing taster sessions, so we might even find our next Winter Olympic Champion!" 

Winter Olympian and GB Park and Pipe Snowboarder Aimee Fuller said: "National Schools Snowsport Week; what a great idea! If you want to snowboard professionally then getting into it when you are young is key. Skiing and snowboarding are also really social and fun sports, through snowboarding I have met some of my best friends and had the opportunity to travel the world competing. It also is a great way to stay fit and strong. It is great seeing big school groups at the slopes in the UK, and hopefully this initiative will get even more schools giving it a go." 

Slopes involved in National Schools Snowsports Week:

Ackers Adventure, Birmingham

Alpine Snowsports Centre, Southampton 

Bracknell Ski and Snowboard Centre

Chatham Ski and Snowboard Centre

Chill Factore, Manchester

Gosling Ski and Board Centre

Gloucester Ski and Snowboard Centre

Impulse Racing (at The Snow Centre, Hemel)

Mendip Snowsports Centre

Norfolk Snowsports Club

Plymouth Ski and Snowboard Centre

Silksworth Ski Slope, Sunderland

Ski Rossendale

Ski Torquay

Skiplex Reading

Skiplex Basingstoke

SnowDome, Tamworth

Suffolk Ski Centre

Swadlincote Ski and Snowboard Centre

The Snow Centre/ Hemel Ski Race Club

For more information and dates visit www.nssw.co.uk and on Twitter @SnowsportEng #SchoolSnowsport